Aeroplane



'G. DELAGE.

AEROPLANE. APPLICATION FILED AUG-7.1917.

Patented Jan. 4,1921 7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAVE DELAGE, OF ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR T0 SOCIETE ANONYME DES ETABLISSEMENTS NIEUPORT, OF ISSY-LES-MO'ULINEAUX,

FRANCE.

AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, 'GUSTAVE DELAGE, a citizen of the French Republic, and residing at 46 Boulevard du Point du J our, Issyles-Moulineaux, Seine, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide an improved aeroplane of the triplane type and having top and bottom planes connected together by members crossing each other in the form of an X, the middle plane being disposed between the upper and lower planes and carried by the X-shaped members at their intersections. According to the present invention each X-shaped member lies in a vertical plane extending fore and aft of the aeroplane, whereby the crossed limbs of the X-shaped members connect the leading edge of the top plane with the trailing edge of the lower plane and the trailing edge of the top plane with the leading edge of the lower plane. This arrangement braces the planes in a more effective manner than previous constructions, and moreover, as the X-shaped members lie in the direction of the line of flight, the obstruction offered by the braces to the passage of the aeroplane through the air is reduced to a minimum. Further, the middle plane has only one longitudinal and is very narrow so that the three planes do not react upon one another.

The manner in which this invention is to be performed will now be more particularly described in the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example an aeroplane constructed in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the general arrangement after removal of the propellers, of the improved aeroplane.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation, and

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

As shown,the two lower planes 1 and 2 are fixed on each side of the aeroplane body 4 above and below that part of the latter which carries the engine and the seats of the airmen. The third plane 3 is situated a certain distance above the other two planes and the aeroplane body.

The top and bottom planes 1 and 3 are connected to each other by the ends of the uprights 5 having the form of an X. These uprights carry at their intersections the middle plane 2. The latter is very narrow and has only one longitudinal fixed to the X-shaped uprights 5 which are connected together by it. It will be observed that in the construction illustrated by the drawings, the two converging members of each X shaped upright 5, are located in a vertical plane extending lengthwise of the aeroplane, and that these members are inclined forwardly or rearwardly from their upper to their lower ends.

This arrangement avoids the use of straight uprights with cross-stays, and allows of providing a very narrow intermediate wing surface in such a manner that the three planes do not react upon one another.

The improved aeroplane may be fitted with either one engine and two propellers, or a plurality of engines capable of driving two propellers together or separately; or two engines and four propellers all arranged in front, or two in front and two at the rear. In any case the improved aeroplane has always two propellers working, namely, one on the right and one on the left. The driving mechanism is situated inside the aeroplane body, thereby avoiding resistances that afl'ect injuriously the propulsion, and allowing of the concentration of the masses, so as to diminish thereby the transverse inertia of the aeroplane.

In the example shown, four propellers 6 are arranged forwardly of the middle plane 2, two on the right hand and two on the left hand, driven by an engine 7 suspended on the level of this plane inside the aeroplane body. The power is transmitted through a shaft 8 extending along the inside of the plane 2 and driving the shafts 9 of the propellers 6 through bevel pinions or any other suitable gear.

These shafts 9 and the respective pinions are inclosed in gear cases 10 that constitute an integral part of plane 2 and have a rounded elongated shape which offers the least resistance to forward travel.

The right hand propellers revolve in the opposite direction to that of the left hand propellers so as to cancel the couples of forces having a transverse reaction and to obtain complete symmetry of the motiontransmitting parts as. well as of the entire apparatus.

The narrowness of the middle plane 2 and the position occupied by the airmen allow of giving a free field of vision and of fire close to, and to the rear of the said plane. The pilot who is seated forwardly of the engine, is able by turning around, to have easy access to the engine during flight.

It is to be understood that the hereinbefore described arrangements are given solely by way of example; and that the shapes, dimensions, details of construction and manner of operation may vary Without departing from the characteristic features of the invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An aeroplane of the triplane type, comprising a body, upper and lower planes connected together by X-shaped uprights, and a central plane disposed between the upper and lower planes and carried by the X- shaped uprights at their intersections, said central plane being narrower than the upper and lower planes, and having only one longitudinal, for the purpose described. r 2. An aero lane of the triplane type, comprising a bo y, upper and lower planes connected together by X-shaped uprights, and a central plane disposed between the upper and lower planes and carried by the X- shaped uprights at their intersections, said central plane being narrower than the upper and lower planes, and having only one longitudinal, and a plurality of propellers arranged symmetrically on either side of the body, said propellers being mounted on shafts carried in gear cases formed in one with the central plane, a motor carried within the body and connected by gearing to a common shaft mounted within the central plane, and gearing between said common shaft and said propeller shafts, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GUSTAVE DELAGE. 

